US Navy begins mine clearance operations in Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz international sea passage provides an essential trade corridor that supports regional and global economic prosperity.

“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said.

Additional US forces including underwater drones were announced to join clearance effort into the future, according to CENTCOM.

Earlier this week, University of Western Australia, Defence and Security Institute Adjunct Professor Jennifer Parker said that a credible reassurance effort with limited naval escorts would likely be required to escort US flagged and crewed commercial vessels out of the Gulf.

“Over recent weeks, Iran has demonstrated both the capability and intent to target commercial shipping. Attacks and credible threats against vessels have driven daily transits down from around 130 to just a handful. Until that risk changes, ships will not return in meaningful numbers,” Parker said.

“Washington has asserted that the strait is open. Tehran’s messaging has been more ambiguous, including references to requiring vessels to inform Iranian authorities before transiting. Some interpret this as a precursor to attempts to exert control over the waterway through a toll.

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“This ambiguity matters. Shipping is a commercial activity driven by risk calculations. Operators and crews will not move on the basis of political statements, particularly when recent experience suggests those statements may not hold.

“In practice, restoring traffic through the strait will likely occur in two phases. The first is reducing the threat; that can occur through military means, diplomacy or a combination of both, but it must materially degrade Iran’s ability and willingness to target shipping.

“(Secondly) an effective reassurance campaign would also involve a broader international presence to provide surveillance, information-sharing and rapid response capability. The international community should move quickly to establish this. Its very establishment would help restore confidence in transits.

“(In addition) questions remain about whether mines have been laid in or near the strait. A clear, public assessment from the international community on whether the strait has in fact been mined would go a long way. It should be an early priority for any coalition effort.”

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.